What is it?

It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals and has among the very highest nutrient-to-calorie ratios (from a vegetarian source) of anti-inflammatory Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acid (EPA). The salty taste is a balanced, chelated combination of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron and trace minerals.

Also known as bladder locks and winged kelp, wakame is a leathery, deep-green sea vegetable traditionally used in Japanese cuisine to flavour salads and miso soup. Due to its high absorbency, dried wakame can expand to over 10 times its size when placed in liquid.

Due to its low calorie content, high nutrient density and savoury taste, wakame can be a nutritious component of nearly any diet, including weight loss plans. This seaweed can impart flavour to foods without adding excess fat or sugar, making it a calorie-saving alternative to richer ingredients. In addition, wakame contains a compound called fucoxanthin that can potentially stimulate fat burning, although its role in weight loss in humans requires further study.